9/3/2019
Sunset Speedway Park
Greg Walters Wins 2019 Doug Walters Classic; Tardio, S. Winebarger, Henderson, Skies, A. Keller, McConnville, And Zylstra Also Winners
Greg Walters Wins 2019 Doug Walters Classic; Tardio, S. Winebarger, Henderson, Skies, A. Keller, McConnville, And Zylstra Also Winners
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Photo Hill)
Banks, Oregon- Sunday, September 1st, was the second and final night of the Doug Walters Classic at Sunset Speedway Park. The “Banks Bullring” had another full card of eight classes. The IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks, IMCA Sport Mods, Pure Stocks/IMCA Hobby Stocks, 4-Bees, New Bees, and both Micro Sprint divisions were on tap at the ¼-mile clay oval.
Greg Walters made a triumphant return in the race held in his father’s memory. The Banks driver swept the weekend and scored his seventh victory of 2019. It is Greg’s eighth Doug Walters Classic that he has won and the first time he has done so since 2015.
Albany’s Bricen James was the runner-up while defending track champ Aaron Elwess, from Vancouver, Washington, got third. Jerry Schram, also of Vancouver, Washington, posted a fourth-place effort with Aloha chauffeur Doug Lockwood, in fifth.
Joey Tardio also swept the competition in the Street Stocks. The Forest Grove phenom tacked on, to his already incredible win count, a sixth checked flag that he has obtained this season. Danny O’Neil Jr., of Vancouver, Washington ended the night second while grabbing third would be Frank Elwess, from Portland. Vancouver, Washington racer J.C. Miller, came across the line fourth over fifth finishing Doug Pitsch, also of Vancouver.
Corbett’s Skyler Winebarger became the newest driver to inhabit victory lane in the IMCA Sport Mod division. St. Helens veteran Don West finished in second over third-place Brionna Fuller, of Medford. Vancouver, Washington gasser Tanner Krohling was fourth over Cornelius regular Rod Lowe, in fifth.
For the seventh time in 2019 Austin Henderson hit pay dirt at SSP in the Pure Stocks/IMCA Hobby Stocks. The Vancouver, Washington driver sweeping the weekend. Corey Joe LoCicecero, of Seaside, once more was the runner-up while Forest Grove’s Brian Fitzpatrick once more finished third. Mike Fitzpatrick, from Banks, took home fourth followed by Forest Grove’s Mandie Tardio, in fifth.
The Pirates of Vancouver were once more on the prowl in the 4-Bee waters. No quarter was given from the privateers against the opposition as for the second consecutive night they raided the track’s chest taking home the loot of the top three spots. “Crimson” Cody Skies raised his fifth victory banner in his rigging. “Cutlass” Jones brought to port a second-place effort, and the third ship of the line was the famed Captain Turnabout. Vernonia drivers Matt Wood and Tylor Owens finishing in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Andie Keller went back to the top of the all-time wins list this year in the New Bees. The Oregon City pilot scored the fourth win of the current campaign for the race team. Tori Chandler, of Forest Grove, ended her evening in second with Brayden Brookshire, also from Forest Grove, in third. “Thunder” Jones sailed to a fourth-place result in his vessel.
Justen McConnville, from Dundee, made a glorious return to the winner’s circle after a bit of a hiatus. He now has accrued four triumphs in the division. The runner-up would be Kyle Kennedy, making the journey from the Vancouver Island town of Nanaimo, British Columbia while St. Helens driver Josh Thompson got third. Kai Dixon ended the weekend in fourth with Mt. Vernon, Washington’s Macie Logsdon rounding out the top five, in fifth.
Monroe, Washington chauffeur Keira Zylstra made a return journey too to the front straightaway. It is the fifth win of her 2019 run at Sunset. The driver who took care of business the previous night, Carnation, Washington’s Levi Kuntz, wound up second. Aberdeen, Washington racer Mason Dineen was third over fourth finishing Macie Logsdon, pulling double duty. Seth Waldal, of Battle Ground, Washington, made it a complete Evergreen State top five, in fifth.
Sunset Speedway Park’s next race is Saturday, September 7th. It will be Championship Night for the four divisions on the schedule. On the card will be the Outlaw Late Models, Pure Stocks/IMCA Hobby Stocks, and both Micro Sprint classes.
Ticket prices are $13.00 for Adults and Seniors/Military/Juniors (13-17) $10.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, and Kids (5 & Under) are FREE. A Family Pass (Two Adults and up to four Youths (6-12)) is offered for $35.00 while Premium Seats are available for $25.00 each. Pit Gates open at 2:00 PM, Front Gates 4:00, with racing kicking off at 6:00. Please, no outside food or drink. For more information, log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
2019 Sunset Speedway Park Supporters:
FinishLine Graphics
Jim’s Thriftway
RockAuto.com
Budweiser
Speed Shift TV
Tommy’s Transmissions
Schram Brothers Excavating
Rockstar Energy Drinks
Speedmart Inc.
Hoosier Racing Tires
Sunset Park
Pick-N-Pull Self-Service Used Auto Parts
R.S. Race Products
Maletis Beverage
Jackson Industries
98.7 The Bull
Bud Light
Pepsi Co.
City of Banks
Checkered Flag Asphalt Paving & Sealcoating
Bridgeport Logistics
PGH Excavating
Highway Heavy Hauling
Deering Management Group
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage
